LIFTING
Modulift custom lifting frames help HS2 get off the ground
Modulift’s team of in-house experts designed, manufactured and delivered two custom lifting frames for the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, all within 6 weeks from the initial contact. The infrastructure project, which is currently the largest in Europe, will provide a welcome boost to the economy with an estimated budget of R2,2 trillion (£106 billion). As well as providing faster rail links, with trains reaching speeds of up to 250mph, the Dept of Transport forecast that there will be 2,000 apprenticeships and 25,000 people employed across the project. Modulift’s team of engineers were asked to provide a custom lifting solution that would lift highspeed railcar panels with a lifting capacity of 25 tons, in two separate locations. The first lifting frame is being used at Southampton Docks, where headroom isn’t an issue. Whilst the second custom lifting frame is at DB Schenkers Immingham warehouse facility, where a low height solution is required. Two lifting frames with multiple solutions Both Modulift custom lifting frames were of the same design, with one having additional components to facilitate the low height
requirement. Each custom lifting frame was designed with a span of 19 metres by 3 metres and a lifting capacity of 25 tons.
feature that Modulift are wellknown for across their whole range of spreader beams, spreader frames and lifting solutions.
Four top lifting lugs were included to enable both lifting frames to be used at a standard lift height.
Modulift’s senior project engineer, Matt Roberts, was on-site to oversee the first of the two custom lifting frames being put together for the first lift in Southampton, where there was a team of 8 stevedores – 4 on the ship, and 4 on the quay, to manage the lift.
However, Modulift’s engineers designed the second custom lifting frame to have four additional top lifting lugs. The addition of the lugs enabled the slings to be attached at a closer point from the centre of the lifting frame for the low height specification. Therefore, the second custom lifting frame offers both low height and standard height lifting solutions, as it can be used inside and outside the warehouse facility when required. Modular design for ease of transportation Modular in design, the frames were manufactured in 3 sections, along with cross beams that added strength and stability which are bolted on site. This made transportation of the custom lifting frames easier, which is a design
Planning for the lifts began in March 2020, which sees the lift of 18 highspeed railcar panels per vessel from a total of 7 vessels which is due to complete in March 2021. Seamless from the outset Ben Cunnington, Global Projects and Industry Solutions Manager at DB Schenker said: “Modulift’s global reputation and previous experience with many of our global customers and projects, was the reason we chose to work with them on this project”. “Knowing that their expertise is all under one roof, meant we didn’t have to manage multiple points of contact as they took care